Crimeline's Biggest Reward

January 9, 1986|By Green

Central Florida residents do care about crime in their community. Just ask the more than five dozen people who were arrested last year because a record 1,500 citizens called 849-2482 to give police the scoop on illegal doings.

Not all of their tips panned out but that's okay. The tipsters cared enough to call and that's what counts.

And yes, Crimeline does pay up to $1,000 to anonymous callers with good tips. But money rarely is the main reason citizens call in. Police say that people generally are concerned about crime, and an anonymous hot line just happens to be a good way of being a good citizen without encountering big risks.

What a bargain all this is. Last year only 20 percent -- $11,775 -- of Crimeline's overall budget, which comes mostly from private donations, was spent on rewards. In return, 124 cases were solved and $93,365 in stolen merchandise was recovered. A Crimeline that solves crimes is Central Florida's most important reward.